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A cervical cap is a soft rubber cup with a round rim designed to fit snugly around the cervix and act as a contraceptive device. A spermicide is applied to the cap before insertion to kill sperm. A cervical cap is basically a small snug diaphragm and, like a diaphragm, a cervical cap must be properly sized and is available only by prescription. A cervical cap protects against conception for 48 hours and for multiple acts of intercourse within that time. Wearing a cervical cap for more than 48 hours is not recommended because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal condition. Symptoms of TSS include sudden fever, an stomach upset, a sunburn-like rash, and a drop in blood pressure.